“Biodiversity Advantage” to be led by Fonterra and DOC

Pure Advantage’s “Biodiversity Advantage” to be led
by Fonterra and DOC

Auckland, 26 May 2014 - Pure
Advantage, the not-for-profit organisation promoting green
growth, today announced that Fonterra and the Department of
Conservation (DOC) will be the corporate leaders for its
‘Biodiversity Advantage’.

Pure Advantage has
identified New Zealand’s ‘Biodiversity Advantage’ as
one of seven areas it can build on to achieve sustainable
economic growth. Fonterra and DOC will work together to
develop a strategy to engage the business sector in helping
to protect New Zealand’s biodiversity, which includes not
only the country’s cherished native wildlife, but all
native species which support a healthy New Zealand
environment and a productive primary sector.

Sir Stephen
Tindall, a Pure Advantage Trustee says the organisation is
very pleased to have Fonterra and the Department of
Conservation team-up to co-lead this significant Pure
Advantage workstream. New Zealand’s unique biodiversity is
an international environmental advantage that also underpins
the country’s clean green credentials.

Protecting New
Zealand’s natural heritage and environment is essential
because of the reliance on the land. Agriculture exports
earn $26 billion a year, more than half of New Zealand’s
total income from export goods. New Zealand’s unique
wildlife and native forest - its ‘Biodiversity
Advantage’ - is a key drawcard for the country’s $20
billion tourism industry which employs 110,000 New
Zealanders. New Zealand’s ‘Biodiversity Advantage’
lies in the fact that most of native birds and 80% of native
trees are found nowhere else in the world.

Working with
Fonterra and the Department of Conservation, Pure Advantage
will develop a business model built on the principles of
shared values that will deliver more resources to
conservation and improve the bottom line for a
business.

Fonterra Global Head of Sustainability and
Social Responsibility, Carly Robinson, says: “Fonterra is
keenly aware that protecting New Zealand’s biodiversity
and maintaining healthy functioning ecosystems, underpins
much of this country’s economic production and way of
life, and plays a critical role in our country’s export
brand.”

In developing the ‘Biodiversity Advantage’
with Pure Advantage, Fonterra and DOC are building on work
they’re doing as part of a $20 million, 10-year
conservation partnership.

“Through our partnership with
DOC we are working with agencies and Iwi on biodiversity
restoration and protection in sensitive wetlands and water
catchments. This work produces positive outcomes for our
farmers, the environment and our Co-operative. We are keen
to work with other businesses to increase investment in
biodiversity protection, creating long-term environmental
and economic benefits.”

DOC’s Commercial Partnerships
Manager, Tim Fraser says DOC has been partnering with large
corporations on conservation work for more than 20
years.

“We have a wealth of experience in this area.
That experience has shown that investing in conservation is
good for the environment and good for business,” says Tim
Fraser.

“We want the business sector to recognise that
protecting our natural heritage benefits our environment and
our economy. To have a strong economy you need a healthy
environment,” says Tim Fraser.

About Pure
Advantage:The brainchild of Phillip Mills, Pure
Advantage was formed by a group of successful New Zealanders
who want a greener, wealthier future for New Zealand. Our
Trustees are Sir George Fistonich, Rob Fyfe, Chris Liddell,
Phillip Mills, Jeremy Moon, Rob Morrison, Geoff Ross, Sir
Mark Solomon, Sir Stephen Tindall, and Joan Withers. The
founding Trustees also included the late Lloyd Morrison and
Sir Paul Callaghan.

Our aim is to articulate the green
growth vision, provide a credible business case and deliver
an ambitious green growth strategy for New Zealand. In doing
so, we aim to enlist leaders from businesses, communities,
iwi and Government.

We strongly believe that the private
sector, in partnership with government, can drive a new
green direction for New Zealand's economy.

Join us in
improving the economy, environment and living standards of
all New Zealanders, visit our website www.pureadvantage.org.

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